Field Trip Guidelines: Field trips are open to anyone interested in birding. Non-members are welcome. We recommend comfortable clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen and water or other suitable beverages. Please contact the trip leader to indicate that you plan to attend and to get any information about changes in plan.

Weekiwachee Preserve

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Trip leader: Gwen

gwenfraley@comcast.net or 206-659-2677

Meet at the entrance gate one mile west of U. S. 19.
We will walk about two miles on trails to look for songbirds.

When a limerock mine closed in coastal Hernando County, the area now known as Weekiwachee Preserve was slated to become a housing development. After a large public outcry in opposition, Southwest Florida Water Management District began purchasing the property in 1993. Subsequent acquisitions have increased the size to 11,206 acres. The main section of this property is a mix of xeric scrub, sandhill, and pine flatwood communities surrounding several deep lakes that were dug during limerock mining.

After the property was opened for public access, 260 species of birds have been sighted on the preserve, as well as 74 species of butterflies, in addition to larger animals such as black bear, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and rabbits, as well as gopher tortoises, a variety of snakes and other critters. Recent bird rarities include the third state record of a Hooded Oriole seen by scores of birders in December 2019.